Breathe, Stretch, Sweat: Ten Hot Yoga Tips

Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram yoga, dubbed the hot yoga room “a chamber of torture”. While some agree, many find the hot practice not only worth the “torture”, but also pleasantly addictive. In this article, we cover hot yoga basics and offer tips for Bikram yoga newbies.

What are the benefits of Bikram yoga?

Bikram yoga (or hot yoga) is a sequence of 26 Hatha postures and two breathing exercises called Pranayama breathing. Hot yoga makes people happier and more confident: according to a recent study published by the Journal of Behavioral Health, people who went on a 60-day Bikram yoga challenge reported immediate increase in core self-evaluation and life satisfaction. Bikram devotees say that hot yoga practice makes the skin glow, increases libido, and improves flexibility and strength. Lady Gaga and David Beckham will agree; they are both on the team of Bikram’s multiple celebrity fans.

Any risks?

Bikram yoga is not for the timid. To reap all the benefits of hot yoga, be prepared to sweat at 105°F (41°C) temperature and 40% humidity, all while wearing as little as you can get away with (think sports bras and shorts for women and speedos for men).

Exercising in the heat can be overwhelming for the body. Make sure you drink lots of water and consult your doctor if you have any health concerns.

Tips for Beginners;

If you’re new to yoga, here are some tips to get you through the first hot yoga practice safely.

Before class:

Eat your last meal minimum 3 hours before the class. If you have to, opt for a light snack. Anything heavy will make you feel dizzy and uncomfortable during the practice.

Pack two large towels. You will need one for the shower and the other to put over your mat to absorb the sweat (*and trust me, you won’t believe the amount of fluid your body is capable of producing).

Resist wiping all of the sweat away. Sweat evaporation helps you cool off. You can wipe off your hands or feet if it helps you get into the posture, but don’t towel dry the rest of your body.

Don’t psych yourself if you can’t do some poses. With enough time and effort, you’ll get there. Even though it may be hard to believe, most of these people in your class that pose beautifully and (it seems) effortlessly, used to fall out of the tree pose.

Take it one pose at a time. Focus on understanding the technique and aligning poses with your breath.

Lighten up. Don’t judge. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Feeling dizzy? Stop. Drink up. Get into a child’s pose or lie on your back and restore your breath.

After class:

Refuel. During the practice, your body will lose a lot of water, so it’s important to rehydrate with water and electrolytes shortly after. You can add Emergen C (or simply sea salt) to regular filtered water or grab a coconut water drink. Bananas are a great after-workout snack and good source of carbs and potassium.

Hot Yoga is getting popularity day by day but in my opinion gentle yoga is more beneficial. It is true that Hot yoga can help us to lose weight within a short period of time but everybody can not adopt Hot Yoga as their daily practice.
Nayeema